The Los Angeles Lakers have finally broken their five-game losing streak with a dramatic victory over the Atlanta Hawks in a summer league matchup, edging out their opponents by a narrow 87-86 margin. The triumph marks the Lakers' first win of 2024, and one player who played a pivotal role in this success was rookie guard Bronny James.
Bronny James Steps Up
Bronny, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft, started the game on a high note, sinking a 17-foot pull-up jumper. This was just the beginning of a significant contribution by the young guard. Throughout the game, he showed the same aggressive play that has characterized his performance despite his earlier struggles. Bronny had been averaging 4.3 points and had missed all 15 of his three-point attempts in the first four summer league games. However, this game turned out to be a breakout moment for him.
The rookie ended the game with an impressive 12 points, nine of which came in the first half. He demonstrated significant improvement in his shooting accuracy, making 5-of-11 field goal attempts and hitting 2-of-5 from beyond the arc. His performance included a crucial three-pointer late in the game that tied the score, which proved to be a momentum-shifting moment for the Lakers.
Reflecting on his performance, Bronny credited his parents for providing the encouragement he needed. "My mom, my dad really help me, encouraging me to stay focused and keep being myself. So I feel like that's a big part of how I came out [tonight]," he said. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining an aggressive mindset, stating, "Just stay aggressive. Even though my shot hasn't been falling, just staying aggressive."
Support from Teammates and Coaches
The rookie's efforts did not go unnoticed by his teammates and coaches. Colin Castleton, who had a stellar game himself with 17 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and two steals, praised Bronny's developing role within the team. "I think he's stepping into a good role. It takes a little bit of time. He has a lot of pressure, a lot of things on him. So he has a great mindset. He's a great kid, great teammate, and we love being around him. Everybody in the organization loves being around him and he took great shots tonight and just got a good rhythm," Castleton remarked.
Assistant Coach Dane Johnson also showed faith in Bronny's shooting abilities despite his earlier misses. "He had those same shots previously, and he just missed them. So, we're going to encourage him to keep taking those. If he's open and we have an open catch-and-shoot [shot], we want him to shoot those, along with everybody else. Open catch-and-shoot threes are what we're looking for. Even if you're not making them, believe in yourself, have confidence in yourself," Johnson said.
Facing Criticism and Moving Forward
Bronny has already experienced the double-edged sword of high expectations, particularly highlighted by social media scrutiny. A recent post captured Jaylen Brown appearing to critique Bronny during the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics. However, Brown later conveyed his admiration for the young guard, stating, "It's a flex to have your son alongside you in the NBA. It reflects greatness and longevity! Bronny has all the tools around him to be successful. I look forward to watching his growth."
Agent Rich Paul also commented on the critique, stressing that opinions from true experts hold weight. "You can't take everybody's opinion and try to turn it against him or think that he's a bad person. At least [Brown] is someone who is actually in the league. There's a lot of 'experts' with no expertise; he's actually an expert with expertise. So, if he has that opinion, he can have that opinion. I know Jaylen. I know he doesn't mean that with any malice. He was just having a conversation," Paul clarified.
Looking Ahead
With this crucial win, the Lakers have set a positive tone as they prepare for their upcoming matchups in Las Vegas against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Chicago Bulls. Rookie Bronny James is showing signs of finding his stride, and his continued development will undoubtedly be a point of focus for the team and fans alike.
Bronny remains optimistic, sharing his excitement about playing alongside his father, LeBron James. "I feel like playing together [and] going to work together every day is just going to build on the relationship we already have. Build that connection, maybe even stronger. But I'm excited to get to work with my dad," he expressed.